Today’s reader question is pondering where on earth to get great trench coats for spring 2023:
Can you do a post on the best trench/raincoats? Post-covid people must all just stay home when it rains because there is not a good looking statement trench in all of Nordstrom, Banana or J.Crew. Where can I look?
Great question, because they can be tough to find. Readers, what are your favorite trench coats or rain coats to wear with work outfits?
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Some Classic Options for Raincoats and Trench Coats for Spring
Burberry
I mean, CAN we discuss spring raincoats and trench coats without going to the OG? Burberry trench coats will run you north of $2,000, but they’re considered investment pieces by many. (Readers who have one, please weigh in with your thoughts — do you find them hard to clean? Are you pleased with how yours has held up?)
(Personally I’m not a fan of either double-breasted coats or the color beige — and having a hood is important to me — so for me this option has never made sense. But they’re classic coats, and I see a lot to love but for those personal dealbreakers.)
The pictured coat (the Kensington) is $2,490 at Neiman Marcus.
Eddie Bauer
This Eddie Bauer classic has been the hands-down reader favorite for many years now. I have one and like it — it isn’t the sleekest of looks, but the hood is nice and deep, it has two deep pockets on the side of the coat and one smaller one on the inside breast of the coat. Mine must be several years old now (maybe as much as many as five?) and really is not showing signs of wear.
The coat comes in regular (XS-XXL), plus (1X-3X), petite (XS-XL), and tall sizes (S-XXL); even the range of sizes is unusually great. The coat has been available in both basic and seasonal colors over the years; right now it looks like they only have black, navy, gray, and a brownish “redwood.” It’s $169 but frequently goes on sale.
(There’s an insulated version of the coat also, which I’ve tried — for my $.02 I prefer the plain raincoat.)
This can be a slightly noisy coat because the fabric is stiff and wate-repellent, but it’s a breathable fabric and really does keep you dry.
Other Options for Lightweight Spring Jackets
Looking around the stores at the moment, I see what this reader means — there are a bunch of boring trench coats, some fun toppers (without hood or weatherproofing), and lots of jackets that look like you’re en route somewhere that is NOT the office (the gym, the barn, etc.)… Finding a sleek, polished look for work is tricky.
I’ve picked out some of my latest favorites below — this lululemon coat might be among my favorites for those who want a hood, while this Ted Baker one has a glamorous trench look to it (but no hood).
That said, I’d love to hear from the readers! What raincoats and trench coats for spring are you wearing with work outfits? Are you as worried about fitting a blazer underneath your jacket as you might have been in years past?
Stock photo via Stencil.
s in chicago
Anybody else thinking the laminated eyebrow looks is really weird? I want to be current, but I just don’t think I can take the leap on this one. Too many photos of gorgeous influencers who are having a hard time pulling this one off. I don’t think there is hope for a mere mortal such as myself.
pugsnbourbon
Eh, I think it looks more natural than say, microblading.
If you’re trying to get a sort of combed “soap brows” look – I really like the Wet n Wild Brow-sessive gel. It has a nice amount of hold and is really easy to use.
Anon
Yes. I think they look really odd.
When Your Career Arc is Ending
Need some advice from the professional ladies on this board. I am early 40s with almost a decade at two high profile companies. I have reached a point of peak dis-empowerment in my job. I feel like I am paid to argue with people with less than 10% of my expertise, until I finally call in my boss or even a colleague at my same level – always a man – and their opinion is immediately accepted. I attended a major reunion last year, and so many women spoke of the opposite: their knowledge and skills are finally valued, they are feeling a new level of fulfillment in their roles, etc. I feel so alone in my place. Like I have aged out of the workplace. I am a dinosaur nobody will listen to. My boss tells me otherwise, wants me to mentor younger women. I feel like a fraud holding myself out as any example since I feel like this. Nobody should aspire to follow my example.
I have spent SO MUCH time looking for other jobs. I am qualified for many jobs that pay a third less than I make. I am not qualified for jobs at the same or better comp. When I interview for the less-pay jobs, I get a ton of suspicion from hiring managers around why I would give up my existing pay (they can guess my range from online) to take role X. I do not get called back.
I was a BigLaw lawyer, have 6 years of in-house experience, and I have thought about trying to start over as a first year associate in another practice area. Start fresh. Or just quit for awhile and take some menial job like waiting tables. I used to enjoy restaurant work. Or be someone’s secretary.
Thoughts? Go back to school? I am not depressed; I am absurdly content and happy when I am not working. My life outside of work is fantastic and I have so much to be thankful for.
Hollis
It’s hard to give advice to your situation as ‘m not really understanding the source of discontent here. It sounds like you are in-house. Who exactly are these people that you are arguing with? The internal clients, outside counsel, opposing counsel? And why is your current comp so out of line with your qualifications? One thing I will say as a lawyer in my late 40’s and having been in biglaw, midlaw, in-house etc. – I do think that in general, it is hard to feel valued being in-house because most of the clients don’t know and don’t have any opportunity to know all of things you’ve done and seen in your career.
anon
I have been in-house for 9 years now and I don’t agree with this take. My internal clients absolutely value me and listen to my opinion and trust my expertise. Are there times when they don’t get some things and want to do what they want to do no matter what I say? Sure. But that was the same in private practice and in state government.
OP, it sounds like this isn’t the right job for you and you know it. I too though am curious how your comp is so out of line with what you are qualified for.
No disrepair to servers, I was one for many years, but I can’t imagine going back to that type of service work. I had to deal so many more clueless a-holes in service and retail jobs than I have in law (and I have dealt with some class As).
How much PTO do you have? My recommendation is to take a long vacation and try to distance yourself from this job, and the job search, depersonalize it, and maybe start looking for adjacent jobs? High level compliance roles?
And while you say you’re not depressed, this is the sort of thing a therapist can help talk you through. I would recommend a few sessions to specifically talk about your job situation and next steps.
CreditRisk
I’m not a lawyer but I’ve faced similar issues in the past year post pandemic. I am noticing a shift in attitudes towards women, especially anyone with minors or elderly parents.
I’m lower half 40’s, was told I look 35 at most (I don’t) and I have 3 children with special needs. I’m ‘efficient’ but work in person in the office. I’m still bypassed all the time.
I’m looking to get an executive MBA from a top school. I’m well paid and know my job inside out. I expect I’m parked unless I change the narrative. The goal of the executive MBA is to enable me to transition to the CFO track.
Is it worth you looking to do something like this? What networking do you do in your field? I’m stretching out to take on ESG work so to attend events in that field. It’s a new area, it’s interesting and it’s a vehicle for me to meet people, expanding my professional network.
Anon
Have you considered opening your own firm or consulting?
Anonymous
You are about my age, and you are already in house for a number of years. Clearly, it is an age thing, as your fertility could be acting as a kind of block toward acceptance of your creativity (or lack thereof). It is clear that people of our age are beginning to be replaced by younger millenieals or GEN Z’s, since it is inevitable these people will ultimately replace us, irregardless of their overall quality or work ethic. I am pesimestic about the future of my own firm since I am the resident plowhorse, and those we’ve hired simply do NOT have my work eithic. That is why I am loading up on my personal retirement savings so that I do not have to depend on the firm’s retirement plan, since that is funded based on firm profits, and if there are not profits, there is no funding. I say in your situation to consider becoming a law professor, as you have seen issues from the inside out and from the outside in. Your age will not be an issue, but be careful about having personal relationships with your students, who are 20 years younger then you. You still have many good years left, so make the most of it, and that is NOT in your in-house job! FOOEY
AIMS
I’ve been loving my Barbour rain jacket lately – it comes down to my knees and keeps me totally dry and has cuffs etc to keep the cold out.
It is on the more casual side so when I need to look a little dressier I still go for my classic beige trench from JCrew (from a few years back).
Runcible Spoon
This is such a timely post! I just saw a gorgeous Rachel Zoe brand short double-breasted hooded trench in the dressing room at my hair salon this weekend. It must be several years old, as I wasn’t able to find that model via Google. But I WANT! In the meanwhile, I have a black Chicos swing raincoat , several years old, that is a workhorse — it’s a good over-layer for travel whether or not it’s raining. For rain-rain, I have a Talbots hooded rain jacket, not very professional looking, color blocked in white, pink, blue (descending). I would have preferred blue, pink, white, because the white shoulders get a bit dirty from carrying shoulder bags.
Anonymous
I have a Kate Spade trench that I really like. It’s not at all sporty and has worked well for work.
motorcity gal
I bought a Burberry trench from outlet paid around $700 (Sandringham). I really like it. I think it is one of my investment items that i have added to my closet. it lasts well and keep in shape.